Author: Erinn Fortson

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Acid Mothers Temple At Johnny Brenda’s

 

I wasn’t surprised to learn that one of the most recent projects by Acid Mothers Temple is inspired by Miles Davis (“Son Of A Bitches Brew”). When I was I senior in college, I took an introductory jazz course. A couple weeks into the class, we began covering fusion. Among the examples of this genre given by my professor was “Bitches Brew”, the track that shares the name of Davis’s famous experimental album. My professor explained the almost 27 minute piece at length before allowing the class to hear it. “I just didn’t get it”, he said repeatedly during what seemed to be a ten minute description of this specific Davis creation. Finally, my teacher momentarily put his lecture to rest and pressed the “play” button on his stereo remote.

“Is this what it’s like to be on LSD?” I asked myself, as I tried to navigate my mind around this instantaneous transportation into the musical world of Miles Davis. I had never heard anything like “Bitches Brew” before that day in class. It made me realize the enormity of room there is for the interpretation of any song. A musical piece that is completely incomprehensible to one person could make total sense to another. That’s the beauty of art. I’m reminded of this when listening to Acid Mothers Temple.

Tomorrow night at 9:00, this uniquely formed group of artists will take the stage at Johnny Brenda’s and grace Philadelphia with their matchless, musical flair. Acid Mothers Temple have produced many works in the last 15 years that embody a no holds barred approach in exploration of music. Like Miles Davis, the group’s talent is clearly showcased through their works, whether the average listener gets it or not. The most important thing to understand is how passionate Acid Mothers Temple are about the music they create. The doors for the show open at 8:00 and tickets are priced at $13.00.

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Chasing The Dragon: Keeping My Mosh Pit Dreams Alive Through Wisdom In Chains

I have a confession to make. It has always been a long dreamt fantasy of mine to completely dominate a mosh pit while attending some sort of live performance. Truthfully, these musically motivated formations terrify me because of how dangerous they can become. Mouths full of blood usually ensue, and not the kind accompanied by laughter. My anxiety level rises every time I witness these ruthless rituals at a concert, praying desperately that the little guys and few brave girls make it out alive. But then something happens. The anxiety slowly turns into a rush of adrenaline and the desperate need to be apart of such a heart pumping experience. It’s sort of comparable to Notorious B.I.G.’s song “Just Playing”, when he confidently vocalizes his raw and uncut fantasies about getting it on with various R&B singers, but equally attests his want for not offending these women at the end of his rap. Conflicting ideas of taking a risk versus playing it safe make living out a fantasy a tough thing to do.

Pushing my fears aside, let’s just pretend for a moment that I am willing to entertain this notion of becoming one with an aggressive, dancing, fist pumping crowd. Before I literally dive in head first, I would want to physical train for my mosh pit debut, the way a runner prepares for a race.  Thinking about this, I wondered what particular music would accompany this training. It didn’t take long for Wisdom In Chains to come to mind.  I have certain loyalty for the group. I was fortunate enough to meet these hard working, hardcore music moguls at a show they performed in Baltimore. This concert was actually the last time I witnessed a mosh pit first hand. I remember watching a crowd, made up mostly of young adult men, mesmerized by the band’s music and presence, which undoubtedly fueled the mission to mosh. It was a pretty intense yet incredible experience. I did not need to see this performance, however, to be convinced that Wisdom In Chains would give me the mojo I needed if ever presented with the opportunity to join these ranks. The band’s famous, self-titled album is one of the first discoveries I made through my internship with Universal Warning Records. I remember popping the CD in my car and playing it start to finish, which I repeated a few times upon the disc’s end. “You spit in my face and disrespected my name, and then you wanted pity when the beat down came”, screams Mad Joe Black, as I repetitiously beat an opened palm on my steering wheel.

Will I ever see the inner circle of a mosh pit? Time will tell as they say. For now, I have at least pin pointed my music of choice in preparation for the real thing if the opportunity ever presents itself. I’m unsure as to if and when I will live out this fantasy of mine. After all, it might not ever make the final draft of my bucket list. Good thing listening to music doesn’t require health insurance. Be sure to check out Hostile City’s Wisdom In Chains products!

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Ane Brun Playing At Union Transfer

I’m the new kid on the block when it comes to Ane Brun. In other words, I heard her music for the first time yesterday. For me, discovering the works of an artist is the equivalent of winning the lottery. I always feel significantly wealthier every time I hear a new song that isn’t already programmed in my neurological playlist. Needless to say, I felt like a millionaire after listening to Ane Brun on Tuesday afternoon. Ten seconds into “Do You Remember”, I was fully bouncing in my office chair, impatiently waiting to hear Brun’s voice for the first time. When I did, my bouncing slowed to a stand still as I completely became mesmerized by her incredible voice. My remaining hours of work that day were spent listening to as many Brun songs as I could find.

I was very excited not only to come across Ane Brun’s music, but to also find that she is scheduled to perform at the Union Transfer in Philadelphia. This is the perfect venue for her. Its layout seems just right for concert attendees to fully enjoy Brun’s live set, whether they observe the show from the high school gym-like bleachers on the second floor, or stand inches away from the stage to watch the songstress execute her talents. Hostile City wishes Ane the best for next Wednesday, as we are honored to have her album “Changing Of The Seasons” in our catalog. So, if you haven’t already done so, plan on attending Brun’s show. I guarantee you’ll leave Union Transfer feeling pretty prosperous.